An Oakland police officer shot during a traffic stop died Sunday, bringing to four the number of officers killed on the deadliest day in the department's history, police said.

Officer John Hege, 41, died at Highland Hospital after being gravely wounded in the first of two shootings on Saturday, Oakland police spokesman Jeff Thomason said.

A 26-year-old parolee wanted on a parole violation opened fire on Hege and 40-year-old Sgt. Mark Dunakin after they pulled him over Saturday afternoon, police said. Dunakin died that day. Hege was hospitalized with a major brain injury and survived through the night, his family said.

Suspect Lovelle Mixon was slain later Saturday afternoon in a gunfight with police that left two more officers dead. Thomason identified those officers as Sgt. Ervin Romans, 43, and Sgt. Daniel Sakai, 35.

Oakland police said never in the department's history had so many officers been killed in the line of duty in a single day.

The violence began when Hege and Dunakin, both on motorcycles, stopped a 1995 Buick sedan in east Oakland just after 1 p.m., Thomason said. The driver opened fire, killing Dunakin and gravely wounding Hege.

The gunman then fled on foot, police said, leading to an intense manhunt by dozens of Oakland police, California Highway Patrol officers and Alameda County sheriff deputies. Streets were roped off and an entire area of east Oakland was closed to traffic.

Around 3:30 p.m., officers got an anonymous tip that the gunman was inside a nearby apartment building. A SWAT team entered the building and the gunman opened fire, police said. Romans and Sakai were killed and a third officer was grazed by a bullet, police said.

"It's in these moments that words are extraordinarily inadequate," said Mayor Ron Dellums at a somber news conference announcing the slayings.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ordered flags at the state capitol flown at half-staff Sunday in honor of the slain officers. Schwarzenegger arrived in Oakland on Sunday to meet with Dellums and members of the police department.

"All four officers dedicated their lives to public safety and selflessly worked to protect the people of Oakland," he said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those lost, the Oakland Police Department and law enforcement officers throughout California during this difficult time."

Police said Mixon used different weapons in each incident. One gun was used at the first scene and an assault rifle was used at the apartment building where he was hiding.

"(Mixon) was on parole and he had a warrant out for his arrest for violating that parole. And he was on parole for assault with a deadly weapon," said Oakland police Deputy Chief Jeffery Israel.

Thank God they killed him. He would have tied up the courts. Scum like this should never be put back on the street. My heart goes out to the families of the slain officers.

tacitus

03-22-2009, 10:17 AM

Who cares what color this murdering bastard was, "He had an extensive criminal history, according to police officials who held a news conference Saturday afternoon..." and was on parole. At least he'll never be on parole again running around with an assault rifle killing people.

Lanie

03-22-2009, 01:38 PM

Who cares what color this murdering bastard was, "He had an extensive criminal history, according to police officials who held a news conference Saturday afternoon..." and was on parole. At least he'll never be on parole again running around with an assault rifle killing people.

werd.

Scarlet

03-22-2009, 08:25 PM

The fourth died this afternoon.
There filthy scum that were repoted to be standing around laughing and taunting the officers on scene who were trying to save thier fallen brothers. I hope they have nightmares for years. There is human trash on this earth.:mad:
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PoliCon

03-22-2009, 10:30 PM

The fourth died this afternoon.
There filthy scum that were repoted to be standing around laughing and taunting the officers on scene who were trying to save thier fallen brothers. I hope they have nightmares for years. There is human trash on this earth.:mad:

God bless them and especially their families for their service to the people of America. :(

Lars1701a

03-23-2009, 07:18 AM

My prayers and sympathies go out to their families. :(

I am sure the Magic Negro will use this tragedy to bring up some form of gun control legislation. :mad:

tacitus

03-23-2009, 09:41 AM

I am sure the Magic Negro will use this tragedy to bring up some form of gun control legislation. :mad:

That you can count on. They tried that here in Colorado after Columbine, and were defeated.

obx

04-12-2009, 10:56 AM

Does anyone know where Lovelle's grave is? I have a full bladder and would like to pay my respects.
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